Rakka eda ni kaerazu
~ Fallen blossoms do not return to branches ~
-- a Japanese proverb
Chapter Fourteen: Daybreak
Summer, Present
Kanagawa, Japan
Kawasaki residence
Michiko yawned as she struggled out of bed. Dawn was just breaking. And it was a Saturday morning. Any other Saturday and she would be sleeping in. But today was special.
Summer, Present
Kanagawa, Japan
Kogure residence
Kogure sat up in bed, looking out of the window at the early morning sky, which held just a tinge of yellow. It deserved to be a bright, sunny day. Today was special.
Summer, Present
Kanagawa, Japan
Park near Kogure residence
She breathed in the fresh morning air. Yet to be contaminated by smoke from exhaust fumes.
She breathed in the fresh smells of nature. Yet to be contaminated by human interference.
Michiko raised her eyes to the sky, appreciating its vastness.
Then she turned around and headed for the train station.
Summer, Present
Philadelphia, USA
Kawasaki residence
Megumi had also risen early, despite having worked late last night, trying to finish a story.
Summer, Present
Kanagawa, Japan
On a train
In the first carriage from the front, Michiko managed to find a seat. She sat down, and thoughts flew toward her task for the day.
In the third carriage, Kogure managed to find a seat. He sat down, and thoughts flew toward his task for the day.
Summer, Present
Kanagawa, Japan
At a cemetery
"Kogure-kun?" Michiko's surprise was evident in her voice.
He, likewise, was startled to see her.
Here, of all places.
At Yoko's grave.
Michiko respectfully retreated. It was a private moment, visiting graves of a loved one, and she had already infringed the unwritten rule, she had already intruded.
Kogure saw her uneasiness and beckoned for her to come.
"You were here to visit Yoko-chan too?"
Michiko nodded. Tears were forming in her eyes.
"I owe her my life. Just like I owe you."
Kogure smiled. A bittersweet smile.
Kogure Yoko lay dead in her grave.
Kawasaki Michiko was alive and well.
A life for a life.
"Yoko-chan…" he murmured, as he bent down to place the fresh violets at her grave.
Kogure Yoko.
Born: 22 May 19XX
Died: 21 May 19XX
Age: Eight
Dearly missed by…
Michiko looked away. She couldn't, wouldn't intrude on this moment.
When a brother was mourning a younger sister.
Later, Michiko placed her bouquet of white roses on Yoko's gravestone as well.
She whispered, "Arigato gozaimasu, Yoko-sama."
Kogure stood aside, watching. He saw Michiko touch the gravestone, her fingers brushing it with the gentlest touch. She looked like she knew Yoko; the way she moved conveyed a fondness.
Michiko stood up. She slipped her hand into Kogure's, leaning her head on his shoulder. As they stood there looking at a gravestone that marked a dead girl's presence. A girl that had changed both their lives.
The sun had risen higher into the sky, casting rays on the pair standing there.
Disclaimer: Slam Dunk and its characters do not
belong to me...
Author's Notes:
Thank you for reading and reviewing....I don't
know why so many of you thought it was going to be the last chapter...well, it
isn't! *grin* I'll tell you when this story's rounding off, so don't
worry.
iron kitty: glad you liked the chapter!
lazuli: yup, my heart nearly broke for Fujima...*sobs*
maemi: they're half-siblings, to be exact. ^____^
sLL: thanks!
cookies: *gasps* I made you cry? sumimasen... but it is gratifying to think someone could be so touched...*hugs*
renei: haha...you should thank you lucky stars that you were just kidding about a possibility of me writing yaoi stuff...
tensaispira: easy...I just visited your profile page one day and noticed you'd written a fanfic... ^_____^ good going!
super rookie: thanks! hope you had a great Christmas!
Tan Kimiko: nope, Michiko's last
name isn't Fujima....you'll have to read carefully to realise that Ayumi's
maiden name was Fujima...she never took her lover's name. Just say it's
for secrecy's sake or sth.
~rurouni